Benitez wants to be reunited with former Liverpool defender

Napoli are weighing up a January swoop for former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, has already given Rafa Benitez the green light to make three new signings in the New Year and the Spaniard is keen to snap up his compatriot Arbeloa from Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old played under Benitez and Anfield and the latter is keen on a reunion in Naples, especially given the fact the Spain international can play as a centre-back and as a full-back.

Benitez has already signed three players - Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon - from Real Madrid and he will attempt to make Arbeloa the fourth player to trade the Bernabeu for the Stadio San Paolo.

However, Arbeloa, who has just over two and a half years left on his contract at Real Madrid, is believed to be content with life in the Spanish capital.